Dominoes: the game that captivated medieval monks is all the rage in the Caribbean

Believe it or not, the earliest version of what is today known as dominoes dates back to the Yuan dynasty. In fact, the small, flat, rigid tiles were first mentioned in the Ancient Acts of Wulin, written by Zhou Mi in the 13th century. The tiles and dice were sold by merchants in the time of Emperor Xiaozong (1162-1189).

The game made its way from China to Europe through the hands of Christian missionaries, mainly Italian and French. In fact, some suggest that the word dominoes refers to monks who practiced it to combat tedium without breaking the rule of silence, because the winner was limited to repeating the beginning of Psalm 110, "Dixit Dominus Domino Meo," "The Lord said to my Lord," which indicated that the time of rest was over and it was time to return to prayer.

In the older versions, the game was played with 32 tiles, while the modern version uses 28.

Today, the game has spread throughout the world, but especially in Latin America and the Caribbean. If you take a walk through the streets of any of these Carribean islands, it is very common to hear the tiles clinking against wooden tables, laughter and angry outbursts caused by this fun and lively game.

Dominoes is much more than a social pastime. It has become a very competitive game. In fact, the World Conference of Domino Federations (WCDF) organizes annual tournaments.

Dominoes is a game that fosters patience. Even children can play, which helps them to develop their calculation skills. Socially, it promotes a very family oriented and friendly atmosphere. It helps players manage stress and anxiety, because it requires attention and focus. Players need to stay alert, so that others cannot get ahead of them, which is very beneficial for memory and retention.

Although there are many versions, such as Mexican dominoes and the matador, the common goal is to align the pieces together by number. The first one to run out of dominoes or the who has the lowest score of remaining dominoes is the winner.

By having to play in community, follow the rules, practice prudence and learn to lose among acquaintances, players grow and learn manners, as well as problem solving skills. For this reason it is highly recommended for people of all ages.